ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Martin Klizan completed a second successive escape at the Rotterdam World Tennis, beating Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 on Saturday to reach the final after saving three match points.

The Slovak had already saved five match points in the previous round to defeat Robert Bautista Agut.

Klizan will bid for the trophy on Sunday when he plays either German Philipp Kohlschreiber or French fifth seed Gael Monfils.

The Slovak is riding a run of form after playing in last week’s Sofia semifinal following a 0-3 start to the season, uncomfortably changing racquets and then going back to his former stick.

Klizan was playing in back-to-back semifinals for the first time in his career.

“It was almost impossible for me to win this match,” the Slovak said. “Nicolas was serving so well.

“Into the second set, his level was so much higher than mine. All I could do was keep trying and have fun. I hope it helped.

“I was really lucky today to get the win. It’s great to be in my first 500-level final, I’ll be ready for it.”

Klizan lost the opening set in 46 minutes as the 34-year-old Mahut rained down 11 aces.

He then went down a break in the seventh game of the second set but levelled for 5-5, which he celebrated with an acrobatic somersault.

As the set went into a tiebreaker, his level rose, saving match points and taking the tight contest into a third set on a passing winner.

In the final set, the Slovak took command with a break to start and added another for a 4-1 margin. He erupted in joy after advancing on his own second match point.

The 26-year-old, ranked 43rd with three career titles, will be appearing in the fourth final of his career.

Fritz youngest American in ATP semifinal since Chang in ‘89

Teenager Taylor Fritz beat Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5) on Friday at the Memphis Open, becoming the youngest American to reach an ATP semifinal since 1989.

Fritz needed 2 hours, 20 minutes to continue his amazing run at The Racquet Club. Fritz, who turned 18 on Oct. 28, used his big serve and strong forehand to advance to his first career ATP semifinal as the youngest American since Michael Chang won Wembley in 1989 at the age of 17.

The teenager, in the event as a wild card ranked 145th in the world, will play Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania on Saturday. Berankis upset No. 3 seed Donald Young 7-6, 6-1, needing 80 minutes to advance.

Three-time defending champion Kei Nishikori faced Mikhail Kukushkin on Friday night. Fourth-seeded Sam Querrey played Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka in the other quarterfinal.